Memorable.Unimaginable. Everlasting. Your honeymoon, right? Maybe. But if you max out your credit to pay for a honeymoon, you're more likely to be describing your monthly credit-card bills than the hoped-for afterglow of your special trip.

If you want a joyous shared experience, check out these dollar-shaving tactics to minimize costs and maximize your travel experience.

Don't Equate $ Spent With Satisfaction
Don't be lured into overspending. Going to a luxury resort doesn't mean you will have a memorable (trip)."

Spend Where It Matters

Determine what's non-negotiable and what you're willing to compromise on. Spend accordingly. With established priorities, it'll be easier to make the inevitable trade-offs.

Set a Budget
Use budget calculators such as MoonRings.com's interactive version and Honeymoon Specialist.com's worksheet to nail down spending by category. Without detailing expenses, you're likely to under-budget for your trip.

Do Your Homework
How far will your dollars stretch? Check newspaper travel sections; read Frommer's Budget Travel magazine (a timely and credible source for deals, discounts, and info on U.S. and foreign venues); review offerings from reputable on- and offline tour operators and discount and last-minute travel specialists.

Consider destinations such as Mexico and Canada where the dollar is strong; you'll get more for your bucks. Locales with high tourist traffic and heavy competition usually offer good deals.

Use What You've Got
Exchange your frequent-travel plan miles and points for heavy-ticket airfare and luxury hotel and resort stays. Use what you save on airfare or lodgings to land better deals or upgrades.

Seek Expert Advice
Save your time and your sanity - they're both priceless. You could spend from now until your first anniversary researching the "best" deals. Experienced agents can help you swiftly navigate the maze and minefield of budget-travel options to find your best match. They can also help you identify hidden costs, vet vendors and provide first-hand knowledge of destinations.

Don't Buy by the Numbers
Price doesn't tell the whole story, advises Duane, "You need to know about the property and the experience it provides." If you don't know who you're buying from and where you're going, your honeymoon could resemble a horror story rather than a fairytale.

Most important, don't pick a location only because it's cheap. When comparing options, consider the overall value in terms of your needs.

Read the Fine Print
Is a rate per person, per night, or per package? Never assume anything. Know what is - and isn't - included in quoted costs, minimum and maximum stays, and other conditions and terms that affect the total price. Airport and room taxes and fees and other charges can up seemingly low-cost advertised package or per-night rates.

Opt for Alternative Accommodations
Can't afford a week or more in a foreign hotel? Firms such as Tuscan House (www.tuscanhouse.com) specialize in comfortable and affordable local rentals (apartments, condos, villas, etc.). Really cash-strapped? Consider house swapping.

Love the outdoors? Rough it in a rental cabin in the nation's campgrounds. Or camp in style in a Douglas Fir cabin at California's Costanoa Coastal Lodge and Camp (800-738-7477).

Capitalize on Special Savings
Spring and fall, many Caribbean properties chop 35 percent from their rates. "If you've already booked your trip," says Duane, "ask your travel agent about rebooking at sale prices."

Identify yourself as honeymooners
Don't be obnoxious or demanding. Travel vendors often throw in free goodies (an upgraded room, free drinks, etc.) or offer unadvertised discounts on room rates.